Overview of the Sanctions Laws
The Sanctions Laws are punitive measures imposed by the Australian Government as a foreign policy response to situations of international concern. The purpose of the Sanctions Laws is to target persons, entities and governments most responsible for these situations.
The Sanctions Laws bind the University and entities over which the University exercises effective control. The Sanctions Laws impose sanctions against foreign states, individuals and entities.
The sanctions are detailed in:
- The UN Security Council Sanctions Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 (the UN Charter Act)
- The Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 and the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011, and
- Other autonomous sanctions imposed by other Australian legislation, regulations or ministerial orders with the force of law.
Under the Sanctions Laws, the University is prohibited from dealing with specific individuals and entities, or providing those individuals, entities and specified countries with access to specific types of training, services and resources. The training, services or resources targeted by the sanctions are those relevant to military purposes or the development of weapons of mass destruction. For a small number of sanctioned countries this also applies to specified dual use goods.
The Sanctions Laws aim to ensure the University does not equip targeted individuals, entities or countries with these resources or the skills to utilise these resources.
The University must take reasonable precautions and exercise due diligence to prevent its conduct breaching the Sanctions Laws. Failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid contravention is a serious criminal offence. Penalties will apply if the University is convicted of the contravention of the Sanctions Laws.
Sanctions and UniSA’s Admissions process
Where an applicant or visitor is a citizen of any of these countries, UniSA must undertake a risk assessment to determine whether the research to be undertaken is compliant with the UN and Australian Autonomous Sanctions.
The Graduate Research Admissions team will undertake a preliminary assessment and notify the proposed supervisor. The supervisor will be required to complete a Sanctions Compliance Form. Compliance must be assessed by the Principal Supervisors, Research Degree Coordinator (or equivalent) and the Academic Unit Executive Dean.
If, after assessment, the risk rating is ‘high’ then an offer for admission (and scholarship if applicable) will not be approved.
More information
Further information is available via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
